Embossing or debossing of a label substrate

ABSTRACT

A label as shown and described herein. The label may include a label substrate, an adhesive adjacent the substrate, and a liner adjacent the adhesive, such that the adhesive is disposed between the label substrate and the liner, and wherein the label substrate is embossed or debossed, and the liner is not embossed or debossed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.16/788,581 filed on Feb. 12, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Pat.Application No. 62/804,333 filed on Feb. 12, 2019, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to labels including raised or recessedrelief images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present invention,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of various aspects of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

As is well known in the art, embossing and debossing are procedures forcreating either raised (embossed) or recessed (debossed) relief imagesand designs in paper and other materials. The procedure (e.g.,embossing) often includes the use of two dies (e.g., a male die and afemale die) that include raised portions, patterns, etc. The raisedportions, patterns, etc. generally match one another, although one issmaller in dimensions than the other such that the dies can fit into oneother. Thus, when paper, or other material, is placed between the diesand pressed between them, the contours of the raised portions of thedies forces the material between the two and creates the embossedimpression. Factors that can be controlled during the embossing processto achieve different levels, quality, etc. of relief are: (1) pressure(e.g., the intensity of the impact on the weight of the material beingembossed); (2) heat (e.g., the ability to maintain a consistent heatlevel for the best impression); and (3) die depth. Embossing can be usedto attract attention or convey a high quality textural appearance.Debossing is similar to embossing, but recesses the design rather thanraising it.

A general example of a two piece die set 10 including male and femaledies 12, 14 is shown in FIG. 1 (with a cross-sectional view of thefemale die 14 being shown in FIG. 2 ). As described above, the male andfemale dies 12, 14 are positioned with a material therebetween. Heat canbe supplied to either the male die 12, or the female die 14, or both.

The die set may include matched male and female roller dies, with theprocess including passing a sheet or a strip of material between rollsof the desired pattern. As the material is drawn through the male andfemale roller dies, a pattern or design on the material is produced.Depending on the roller dies used, different patterns can be produced onthe sheet. A combination of pressure and heat may be used to raise thelevel of the image higher than the substrate. In most current embossingapparatus, the upper roll blocks are stationary, while the bottom rollblocks are movable. Alternatively, flat bed dies may be used (instead ofroller dies).

One particular article that may undergo such procedures to be embossedor debossed are labels. Multiple types of labels can be embossed ordebossed. One such type of label is a pressure sensitive label. Thecurrent method of embossing a pressure sensitive label is to use eithera rotary or flat bed male and female set of dies. In such embodiments,the label stock is a pressure sensitive material which includes a facestock, pressure sensitive adhesive, and either a polyester or papersilicone release liner. The label stock including these layers isembossed by being rolled, pressed, or otherwise formed between male andfemale dies. Heat may also be applied during this process to thermoformthe embossed label. Such procedures produce an embossed label 16, anexample of which is shown in FIG. 3 . As can be seen, the emboss 18 ofthis label 16 is received by, or formed in, each of the layers of thelabel (face stock 20, adhesive 22, and release liner 24). Accordingly,the multiple layers of the label increase the thickness of the materialsbeing embossed and as such, reduces the height and definition of theemboss (see FIG. 3 ).

While having an embossed liner does not necessarily pose a problem forsome labels, or in all situations, there are certain situations where anembossed liner results in some drawbacks. For example, an embossed lineris not necessarily a problem for labels that are either hand applied orapplied at slow application speeds. However, an embossed liner is notideal for high speed applications because the uneven surface to theliner disrupts the dispensing process. This can cause labels to bemisapplied, fail to apply once dispensed, or fail to dispense from theapparatus (with the attendant need to remove and reapply misappliedlabels, and any downtime that may result from labels that do notdispense from the apparatus).

Another drawback to current labels including embossing, involves thepropensity for embossed labels to lift away from the article to whichthey are applied. Currently used label materials (such as materials usedfor pressure sensitive labels) have limited adhesive coverage in areasof the label that are embossed. This may occur, for example, due toadhesive only being present to contact an article and form a bond inthose areas of the label where the label material is directly adjacentthe article with adhesive therebetween. Thus, here the actual emboss (orraised material) is present, there may be no adhesive (or limitedadhesive for contact with the article. Thus, if the label is embossed ator near the edges of the label, the smaller amount of adhesive (and thuslower strength of bond between label and article) may not be sufficientto retain the label on the article — thus resulting in edges of thelabel lifting away from the article. In current embossed labels, thisdrawback is addressed by ensuring that the embossed region of the labelis kept away from the edges of the label.

Apart from the drawbacks discussed above with current procedures forembossing labels, there are also certain materials for labels (for whichembossing may be desired) but which exhibit other drawbacks due to theenvironment in which they are used. For example, labels on bottles andcontainers of wine and spirits are often exposed to moisture andcondensation at many steps in the chain of production and sale in themarketplace (and even post-sale). Traditionally, uncoated papers areused for wine and spirit labels as they provide a premium look.Unfortunately, however, most uncoated papers do not exhibit goodmoisture resistance and thus can “grey out,” bubble, and/or wrinkle whenexposed to moisture. The best performing material for ice bucket andmoisture conditions is synthetic films, but customers traditionally donot like these films because the label does not have the desired premiumlook. One reason for this is because typical film materials cannotaccept an emboss or deboss, because the material has no memory, and thuscannot retain the relief.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain exemplary aspects of the invention are set forth below. Itshould be understood that these aspects are presented merely to providethe reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention mighttake and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects thatmay not be explicitly set forth below.

As described above, current methods of creating relief images, text,graphics, etc. on labels are inadequate. Various aspects of the presentinvention overcome the drawbacks described above. The various aspects ofthe present invention also provide embossed (or debossed) labels that donot suffer the problems with dispensing of labels during a high-speedapplication process. Further, the various aspects of the presentinvention provide embossed labels that can be used in applications thatmay be exposed to moisture or condensation without suffering the currentproblems with aesthetics when exposed to moisture/condensation. And,various aspects of the present invention provide a label wherein theheight of the relief can be controlled (e.g., heightened over that ofprior art labels).

In that regard, one aspect of the present invention is provided by alabel having a plurality of layers that includes at least (1) a labelsubstrate, (2) an adhesive adjacent the substrate, and (3) a lineradjacent the adhesive, such that the adhesive is disposed between thelabel substrate and the liner. The label substrate is embossed ordebossed, while the liner is not embossed or debossed. In certainembodiments, then, only the label substrate (i.e., the face stock of thelabel) is embossed. When embossing the label substrate (e.g., a facestock), heat may be applied along with the application of pressure tothermoform the emboss on the label substrate. Thermoforming of theemboss in or on the substrate can enhance the setting of the emboss inor on the substrate, thereby preventing it from relaxing back to itsnatural state (or reducing any relaxation). The substrate may be anylabel substrate, including paper, films, and foils. In one embodiment,once the label substrate is embossed, the embossed substrate may then beadhesive laminated to a liner (e.g., a pressure sensitive material incertain embodiments) and die cut, resulting in a label in which theliner includes no embossing/debossing. (In certain embodiments, theadhesion of substrate to liner may be via pattern adhesive lamination.)This eliminates certain dispensing issues described in the Backgroundwith respect to current embossed/debossed labels.

In an alternate embodiment of this aspect, a label may have a pluralityof layers that includes at least (1) a label substrate, (2) a registeredpatterned adhesive adjacent the substrate, and (3) a liner adjacent theregistered patterned adhesive, such that the registered patternedadhesive is disposed between the label substrate and the liner in suchmanner that it is disposed between a non-embossed section of the labelsubstrate and the liner. In this aspect or embodiment, only thesubstrate of the label construction (i.e., the top ply) is embossed.Once the emboss is formed, an adhesive is then applied in register withthe non-embossed section of the substrate. A liner may be then appliedto the side of the adhesive layer opposite the substrate, forming thelabel. In this aspect or embodiment, the substrate could be any labelsubstrate including paper, film, and foils. Further, in this aspect orembodiment, one may thermoform the emboss in or on the substrate.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is provided by a labelhaving a plurality of layers that includes at least (1) a labelsubstrate, (2) a laminating adhesive, and (3) a premanufactured labelsubstrate. During preparation, the substrate (a top ply) is embossed,and then laminated to a pre-manufactured label substrate, resulting in afinished label construction with no embossing of the liner (the linerbeing provided by the pre-manufactured label substrate). The labelsubstrate may be any label material, including paper, films, and foils.The premanufactured label substrate may be a pressure sensitive labelsubstrate. Further, the premanufactured label substrate may comprise alabel stock, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a liner. The label stockof the premanufactured label substrate may be a thin label stock.

In the above aspects and embodiments, once the label construction isassembled, the labels may be die cut to result in a finished label orlabels.

Another aspect of the present invention may include a label where theliner is embossed. This aspect may include embodiments such as thosedescribed above, but where the entire label construction is subjected tothe embossing/thermoforming process. As an example, then, such a labelmay include at least (1) a label substrate, (2) an adhesive adjacent thesubstrate, and (3) a liner adjacent the adhesive, such that the adhesiveis disposed between the label substrate and the liner. However, in thisembodiment, the entire construction would be subjected to male andfemale dies to provide the emboss through all of the layers.

In such an embodiment, to avoid dispensing issues (such as thosedescribed above in the Background), the embossed image of the liner canbe subsequently offset from the embossed image of the label substrate,once the embossing is complete. This may be accomplished with the use ofa label shifter or a delamination/re-lamination process.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a label that mayinclude at least (1) a label substrate, (2) an adhesive adjacent thesubstrate, and (3) a first liner adjacent the adhesive, such that theadhesive is disposed between the label substrate and the temporaryliner. Once this construction is formed, the entire construction(substrate, adhesive, and first liner) may be subjected to male andfemale dies (as described previously) to provide an emboss through allof these layers. Following embossing, the first liner (which has theemboss) may then be removed and replaced with a second liner that hasnot be embossed. This second construction (substrate, adhesive, andsecond liner) is the construction that would be used for application toan article to be labeled.

Another aspect of the present invention provides labels that are capableof being embossed or debossed, and can be used in heightened moistureand condensation environments without suffering the drawbacks ofuncoated papers (while still providing a premium look). In that regard,the present inventor has determined that films that include styrene isuseful in such an environment. Materials including styrene acceptembossing and debossing very well. With this ability, texture backgroundgrains can be embossed/debossed onto a label substrate that includesstyrene along with sculptured multi-level embossing (e.g., for text,graphics, and other label information). As a result, such a materialincluding styrene can visually come very close to a traditional uncoatedpaper look and feel, but have the ultra-wet strength and moistureresistance of a film material. Matte UV varnishes, texture grains, andsculpted embossing elements, may be combined to provide high end premiumlooks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the general description of the invention given above andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic that shows male and female dies that can be usedto emboss a material.

FIG. 2 is a schematic that shows a cut open and cross-sectional view ofthe female die.

FIG. 3 is a schematic that shows a cross-sectional view of an embossedprior art label, wherein the multiple layers of the label (substrate,liner, and adhesive therebetween) are all embossed. FIG. 3 can beconsidered to show a prior art version of a label.

FIG. 4 is a schematic that shows a cross-sectional view of a male dieand female die with a label substrate positioned between the two dies.

FIG. 5 is a schematic that shows the process of embossing a labelsubstrate.

FIG. 6 is a schematic that shows completed label portions on a releaseliner.

FIG. 7 is a schematic that shows a cross-sectional view of an embossedlabel in accordance with principles and aspects of the presentinvention, including an embossed substrate and non-embossed liner.

FIG. 8 is a schematic that shows the process of embossing a label andsubsequently offsetting an embossed liner from an embossed substrate.

FIG. 9 is a schematic that shows the process of embossing a label andthen replacing an embossed liner with a non-embossed liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

As described above, current methods of creating relief images, text,graphics, etc. on labels are inadequate. Various aspects of the presentinvention overcome the drawbacks described above. They do so byproviding a label wherein the height of the relief can be controlled(e.g., heightened over that of prior art labels). The various aspects ofthe present invention also provide embossed (or debossed) labels that donot suffer the problems with dispensing of labels during a high-speedapplication process. Further, the various aspects of the presentinvention provide embossed labels that can be used is applications thatmay be exposed to moisture or condensation without suffering the currentproblems with aesthetics when exposed to moisture/condensation.

In that regard, (and referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4-7 ), one aspect ofthe present invention is provided by a label 26 having a plurality oflayers that includes at least (1) a label substrate 28, (2) an adhesive30 adjacent the substrate, and (3) a liner 32 adjacent the adhesive 30,such that the adhesive 30 is disposed between the label substrate 28 andthe liner 32. The label substrate 28 is embossed 34 or debossed, whilethe liner 32 is not embossed or debossed. In certain embodiments, then,only the label substrate 28 (i.e., the face stock of the label 26) isembossed 34. When embossing the label substrate 28 (e.g., a face stock),heat may be applied along with the application of pressure to thermoformthe emboss on the label substrate 28. The thermoforming process includesheating a material to its forming temperature and applying force to theheated material to push it into cavities or over a mold — for example,over the mold of a male die and into a cavity of a female die — so thematerial conforms to the shape provided by the dies. The forces may beapplied by various methods including mechanical assist (plugs), vacuum,and form air. In particular embodiments of the present application, theforces may be mechanically applied. Thermoforming of the emboss in or onthe substrate can enhance setting of the emboss in or on the substrate,thereby preventing it from relaxing back to its natural state (orreducing relaxation over that which might be seen in the absence ofthermoforming). The substrate may be any label substrate, includingpaper, films, and foils. Examples of various materials that can be usedfor the substrate may include any thermoformable film, includingacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (such as high impactpolystyrene — HIPS), polyethylene (including high density polyethylene —HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), andpolyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). The embossed substrate 28 maythen be laminated via adhesive 30 to a liner 32 (e.g., a pressuresensitive material in certain embodiments) and die cut, resulting in alabel 26 in which the base of the label 26 is flat (because the liner 32includes no embossing/debossing). This eliminates certain dispensingissues described in the Background with respect to currentembossed/debossed labels.

In one embodiment, once the label substrate 28 is embossed 34, theembossed substrate may then be adhesive laminated to a liner 32 (e.g., apressure sensitive material in certain embodiments) and die cut,resulting in a label 26 in which the liner 32 includes noembossing/debossing.

In an alternate embodiment of this aspect, a label 26 may have aplurality of layers that includes at least (1) a label substrate 28, (2)an adhesive 30 adjacent the substrate 28, and (3) a liner 32 adjacentthe registered patterned adhesive 30, with the adhesive 30 beingdisposed between the label substrate 28 and the liner 32 in such mannerthat it is disposed between a non-embossed section of the labelsubstrate 28 and the liner 32. In other words, the adhesive is patterned— and is patterned in a manner in register with sections of thesubstrate that are not embossed/do not receive an emboss. This may bereferred to herein as a patterned registered adhesive. In this aspect orembodiment, only the substrate of the label construction (i.e., the topply) is embossed 34. Once the emboss is formed, an adhesive 30 is thenapplied in register with the non-embossed section of the substrate 28. Aliner 32 may be then applied to the side of the adhesive 30 layeropposite the substrate, forming the label 26. In this aspect orembodiment, the substrate could be any label substrate 28 includingpaper, film, and foils. Further, in this aspect or embodiment, one maythermoform the emboss 34 in or on the substrate.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is provided by a labelhaving a plurality of layers that includes at least (1) a labelsubstrate, (2) a laminating adhesive, and (3) a premanufactured labelsubstrate. During preparation, the top ply (a substrate) is embossed 34,and then laminated to a pre-manufactured label substrate, resulting in afinished label construction with no embossing of the liner 32 (providedby the pre-manufactured label substrate). In other words, thisembodiment of a label is very similar to that having substrate 28,adhesive 30, and liner 32 — except in the present embodiment, the liner32 is replaced with a pre-manufactured label substrate. Such apremanufactured label substrate may comprise a label stock, a pressuresensitive adhesive, and a liner. (In other words, the embossed label ofthis embodiment would appear as that shown in FIG. 7 , except that theliner 32 of the label in that Figure would be replaced with three layerssimilar to substrate 28, adhesive 30, and liner 32, with none of thosesubstrate, adhesive, and liner including an emboss.) The label stock ofthe premanufactured label substrate may be a thin label stock. Thepremanufactured label substrate may be a pressure sensitive labelsubstrate. The top ply label substrate may be any label material,including paper, films, and foils.

In the above aspects and embodiments, once the label 26 construction isassembled, the labels 26 may be die cut to result in a finished label 26or labels.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , another aspect of the present invention mayinclude a label 26 where the liner 32 is embossed 34 (at leastinitially). This aspect may include embodiments such as those describedabove, but where the entire label construction is subjected to theembossing/thermoforming process. As an example, then, such a label 26may include at least (1) a label substrate 28, (2) an adhesive 30adjacent the substrate, and (3) a liner 32 adjacent the adhesive 30,such that the adhesive 30 is disposed between the label substrate 28 andthe liner 32. However, in this embodiment, the entire construction wouldbe subjected to male and female dies 12, 14 to provide the emboss 34through all of the layers.

In such an embodiment, to avoid dispensing issues (such as thosedescribed above in the Background), the embossed image of the liner 32can be subsequently offset from the embossed image of the labelsubstrate 28, once the embossing is complete. This may be accomplishedwith the use of a label shifter or a delamination/re-lamination process.

Referring now to FIG. 9 , another aspect of the present inventionprovides a label 26 that may include at least (1) a label substrate 28,(2) an adhesive 30 adjacent the substrate, and (3) a first liner 32adjacent the adhesive 30, such that the adhesive 30 is disposed betweenthe label substrate 28 and the first liner 32. Once this construction isformed, the entire construction (substrate 28, adhesive 30, and firstliner 32) may be subjected to male and female dies 12, 14 (as describedpreviously) to provide an emboss through all of these layers. Followingembossing, the first liner 32 (which has the emboss) may then be removedand replaced with a second liner 36 that has not been embossed. Thissecond construction (substrate 28, adhesive 30, and second liner 36) isthe construction that would be used for application to an article to belabeled.

Another aspect of the present invention provides labels that are capableof being embossed or debossed, and can be used in heightened moistureand condensation environments without suffering the drawbacks ofuncoated papers (while still providing a premium look). In that regard,the present inventor has determined that films that include styrene isuseful in such an environment. Materials including styrene acceptembossing and debossing very well. With this ability, texture backgroundgrains can be embossed/debossed onto a label substrate that includesstyrene along with sculptured multi-level embossing (e.g., for text,graphics, and other label information). As a result, such a materialincluding styrene can visually come very close to a traditional uncoatedpaper look and feel, but have the ultra-wet strength and moistureresistance of a film material. Matte UV varnishes, texture grains, andsculpted embossing elements, may be combined to provide high end premiumlooks.

And so, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a thermallyembossed pressure sensitive film label 26. The label 26 may have aplurality of layers that includes at least (1) a label substrate 28, (2)an adhesive 30 adjacent the substrate 28, and (3) a liner 32 adjacentthe adhesive 30, such that the adhesive 30 is disposed between the labelsubstrate 28 and the liner 32. In this embodiment, the label substrate28 is embossed 34 or debossed, while the liner 32 is not embossed ordebossed. Thus, during assembly, a substrate for a label (e.g., a labelfacestock) may be passed between a male and female set of dies 12, 14(exemplary dies 12, 14 are shown in FIG. 1 ). These dies may be rotaryor flat bed. As the substrate is drawn through or between the male andfemale dies, the pattern or design of the dies produces the embossed (ordebossed, as the case may be) pattern or design on the substrate. In thecurrently described embodiment for a thermally embossed label 26, heatmay be applied during this process to cause or facilitate the emboss (ordeboss) produced. In alternative embodiments, pressure may be used — ora combination of heat and pressure may be used. Schematics of theprocess of embossing a label substrate 28 may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

Further, in this embodiment, the substrate may be a substrate for apressure sensitive label (e.g., a pressure sensitive facestock).However, those of skill in the art will recognize that substrates forother types of labels may be subjected to the same or similar processfor embossing (or debossing).

Once the substrate has been embossed 34, an adhesive 30 and a liner 32may be applied to the substrate to complete the label construction onthe liner (see FIG. 6 for a representative of a completed labelconstruction on liner). This results in a label 26 constructionincluding (1) a label substrate 28, (2) an adhesive 30 adjacent thesubstrate, and (3) a liner 32 adjacent the adhesive 30, such that theadhesive 30 is disposed between the label substrate 28 and the liner 32.The embossed images, pattern, design, text, graphics, etc. will bepresent on the substrate. As will be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art, in this embodiment (as seen in FIG. 7 ), only thesubstrate will have received the emboss, while the adhesive 30 andcarrier sheet will not have been subjected to the embossing process, andso will not include embossed images, pattern, design, text, graphics,etc. This allows for greater height and definition of the emboss. Thisalso allows for an embossed (or debossed) label that can be subjected tohigh speed applications because the even surface of the liner eliminatesthe dispensing issues described above with respect to embossed labelshaving a liner that caries the emboss. This reduces or eliminates themisapplication of labels, the failure of labels to apply once dispensed,or the failure of those labels to dispense from the apparatus (with theattendant need to remove and reapply misapplied labels, and any downtimethat may result from labels that do not dispense from the apparatus).

Further in this embodiment (or in alternate embodiments), options forsuch a label 26 may include a label substrate 28 being a premanufacturedpressure sensitive label stock including styrene. Such label stock maybe of single ply polystyrene or laminated polystyrene. And so, in oneembodiment, the label 26 may have multiple layers that include at least(1) a label substrate 28 of single ply polystyrene or laminatedpolystyrene, (2) an adhesive 30 adjacent the substrate, wherein theadhesive 30 is a pressure sensitive adhesive, and (3) a liner 32adjacent the adhesive 30, such that the adhesive 30 is disposed betweenthe label substrate 28 and the liner 32. In this embodiment, the labelsubstrate 28 (of single ply polystyrene or laminated polystyrene) isembossed 34 or debossed, while the liner 32 is not embossed or debossed.

The embodiments of the present invention recited herein are intended tobe merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to makenumerous variations and modifications to it without departing from thespirit of the present invention. Notwithstanding the above, certainvariations and modifications, while producing less than optimal results,may still produce satisfactory results. All such variations andmodifications are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A label comprising: a label substrate; anadhesive adjacent said substrate; and a liner adjacent said adhesive;wherein said adhesive is disposed between said label substrate and saidliner; wherein said label substrate is embossed to form an embossedsection, and said liner is not embossed wherein an interior space ispresent between said embossed section and said liner; and wherein theadhesive is patterned in a manner such that the adhesive is disposedbetween a non-embossed or non-debossed section of the label substrateand the liner.
 2. The label of claim 1, wherein said label substrate isthe only layer of said label that is embossed or debossed.
 3. The labelof claim 1, wherein the label substrate includes styrene.
 4. The labelof claim 1, wherein the label substrate is chosen from a single plypolystyrene and a laminated polystyrene.
 5. The label of claim 1,wherein the label substrate is chosen from a single ply of athermoformable filmic substrate.
 6. A label comprising: a plurality oflayers, wherein said plurality of layers includes at least (1) a labelsubstrate, wherein said label substrate is embossed to form an embossedsection, (2) a laminating adhesive, and (3) a pressure sensitive labelsubstrate; wherein the pressure sensitive label substrate comprises alabel stock, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a liner; and whereinsaid pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed between said label stockand said liner; and wherein the adhesive is patterned in a manner suchthat the adhesive is disposed between a non-embossed section of thelabel substrate and the pressure sensitive label substrate.
 7. The labelof claim 6, wherein said label substrate is the only layer of said labelthat is embossed.
 8. The label of claim 6, wherein the label substrateincludes styrene.
 9. The label of claim 6, wherein the label substrateis chosen from a single ply polystyrene and a laminated polystyrene. 10.The label of claim 6, wherein the label substrate is chosen from asingle ply of a thermoformable filmic substrate.